Implementing the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA): how to Effectively Engage Chinese-American Elderly Persons in the Decision of Advance Directives

This paper addresses the problems of implementing the Patient Self-Determination Act with the Chinese-American population. A case study of an 88-year-old Chinese widow admitted to a nursing home is used as illustration. Potential obstacles such as attitudes toward illness, medical treatment, & suicide are discussed. Recommendations are made for 2 types of groups that can counsel elderly Chinese-Americans concerning the Patient Self-Determination Act & advance directives. (21 refs.)